Overview

The second book in Rae Carson's award-winning The Girl of Fire and Thorns fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Game of Thrones and Kristin Cashore. Tamora Pierce called the first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, "A unique and engrossing read!" A seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

In The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Elisa won the war. She saved her kingdom. But no one prepared her for ...

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Overview

The second book in Rae Carson's award-winning The Girl of Fire and Thorns fantasy trilogy, perfect for fans of Game of Thrones and Kristin Cashore. Tamora Pierce called the first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, "A unique and engrossing read!" A seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

In The Girl of Fire and Thorns, Elisa won the war. She saved her kingdom. But no one prepared her for how hard it is to recover from a battle, or to rule a people who still don't trust her. She's still fighting—against assassination attempts and more—and her enemies lie both outside her court and within it. So Elisa will cross the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. With her go a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume to Rae Carson's ambitious trilogy. Cinda Williams Chima proclaimed about the first book, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, "I LOVED this book!" and Veronica Roth agreed, saying, "Definitely recommended."

What People Are Saying

Rachel Hawkins

“There are books you like, and books you love, and then there are the ones that make you go past ‘love’ and straight into, ‘I think I may need to marry this book.’ The Crown of Embers was that type of book for me. I adored it.”

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

Carson’s sequel to her debut, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, is a superb fantasy built around an exceptional heroine. Just months after leading her adopted country to victory against the sorcerers of Invierne, 17-year-old Queen Elisa has to deal with spies, a possible traitor in the palace, and pressure from her own council to marry or cede power to a regent. Additionally, the Inviernos are back, and they want her to sacrifice herself willingly to them, or they will rain destruction and death on her people. Dodging attempted assassination and kidnapping, Elisa is pulled by the mysterious Godstone embedded in her navel to find the zafira, the soul of the world and the source of its magic, embarking on a gripping journey that ramps up the tension and sets up the finale. Carson avoids the dips that often haunt bridge books: expert pacing and well-drawn characters are masterfully integrated with Elisa’s continued growth as she deals with the shifting political situation, resulting in a dramatic and gratifyingly romantic novel that smoothly follows its predecessor. Ages 13–up. Agent: Holly Root, Waxman Leavell Literary Agency. (Sept.)

Booklist

USA Today

“Rae Carson has proved she’s a master and has shaken up the YA genre. . . . Nothing is held back.”

Rachel Hawkins

“There are books you like, and books you love, and then there are the ones that make you go past ‘love’ and straight into, ‘I think I may need to marry this book.’ The Crown of Embers was that type of book for me. I adored it.”

VOYA
- Susan Allen

Elisa is now the reigning queen after defeating the animagus who seek to regain the power they have lost. In this sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Greenwillow, 2011/VOYA December 2011), Elise's saga continues. At seventeen, she is attempting to gain the respect of the county's highest ranking officials, rebuild a country that has used its resources to fight the just-ending war, and find a way to keep her people from losing faith in her and her ability to rule. On top of all this, there have been many attempts to kill her. Her Royal Guard and their leader, Hector, have foiled the attempts. Elise is still trying to understand and control the fire that her Godstone appears able to provide. From one of the Enemy she learns of the zafira, the power that rests just below the earth's surface and is the power that the Godstone uses. A quest to find this almost mythical place ensues, with danger, intrigue, and romance as her companions. The fantasy world in which Elisa lives continues to draw in the reader. The zafira is plausible, and the struggles of a seventeen-year-old girl to fit into an adult world of politics, greed, and intrigue are totally believable. Like the first of the trilogy, this volume will be read and the final installment of Elisa's story will be eagerly awaited. Reviewer: Susan Allen

Kirkus Reviews

Intelligent and thoughtful Elisa must negotiate diplomacy, religion and personal desire. Her Majesty Queen Lucero-Elisa became sole ruler of Joya d'Arena through luck (both good and bad), wise strategic decisions and the holy magic of the Godstone embedded in her navel (The Girl of Fire and Thorns, 2011). Keeping her kingdom, on the other hand, will require diplomacy, political acumen, mercy--and deception. Elisa must fight everything from assassination attempts to rioting mobs, all while defending her country against the terrifying foreign sorcerers with "pale peach" skin and "hair the syrupy gold of honey," who only recently brought fiery destruction on her nation's capital. Elisa, deeply pragmatic and deeply religious, is required repeatedly to make intelligent, unselfish choices for the good of her nation. The lush details of this magical world are thoroughly intertwined with the profound religious faith of both heroes and villains, where each revelation leads to a crack in Elisa's worldview. Those who find no YA fantasy complete without a steamy romance will be thrilled by Elisa's growing passion for her best friend and closest adviser--who is, of course, completely off-limits. Though this series entry moves somewhat slowly, newly discovered mysteries about this fantasyland's history--not to mention the torments of unresolved sexual tension--will have readers clamoring for volume three. (Fantasy. 13-16)

USA Today

“Rae Carson has proved she’s a master and has shaken up the YA genre. . . . Nothing is held back.”

Booklist

Rachel Hawkins

“There are books you like, and books you love, and then there are the ones that make you go past ‘love’ and straight into, ‘I think I may need to marry this book.’ The Crown of Embers was that type of book for me. I adored it.”

School Library Journal

Gr 8 Up—In this sequel to The Girl of Fire and Thorns (HarperCollins, 2011), several months have passed since Elisa, through the power of her Godstone, destroyed the invading animagi sorcerers. Although the forces of Invierne were successfully driven back, the outer perimeter of the city still burns. Elisa is now queen of Joya d'Arena, and the crown is proving to be a heavy burden in more ways than one. The Inviernos still seek to capture her to manipulate the power of the Godstone she bears. There is massive civil unrest, and there are those at court who seek to undermine her rule. Although her husband has only been dead a few months, she is being pressured to remarry to secure an alliance with one of the noble houses in the kingdom. After several attempts are made on her life, she sets off on a perilous quest that is part of the fulfillment of her destiny as the bearer. As in the first book, Elisa's narration conveys a sense of immediacy. Carson has created vivid, palpable settings and complex multifaceted characters, and delivers a fast-paced novel that is emotionally charged, suspenseful, and filled with plot twists. The cliff-hanger ending will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment of this series, which will especially appeal to fans of Kristin Cashore and Tamora Pierce.—Francesca Burgess, Brooklyn Public Library, NY

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Surpasses Expectations

I devoured this book in a single day because I couldn't make myself slow down. I had high hopes going into it because I really loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and I'm happy to say that Crown of Embers surpassed my expectations. This is a fully realized fantasy rife with intrigue, emotion, courage, suspense, and betrayal.

Everyone should read this series.

I love that every character is three-dimensional and nuanced. I love that I can see the story happening against a beautifully described backdrop. And I really love that the character arc for Elisa is once again full of subtle shifts, flaws, and moments of brilliance. Reading this book is like revisiting an old friend and finding her full of fascinating new stories.

The plot is layered and complex enough to keep the reader completely engaged. The relationships are complicated and compelling. And the struggle between faith and discovering your own strength is portrayed with balance.

I could just rave on and on about this book. It's incredible. It deserves a spot on my favorites shelf and will be a book that I will re-read many times. If you haven't tried this series, please do. It's a gem.

9 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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CCFinlay

Posted September 26, 2012

Yes I'm biased BUT THIS BOOK IS AWESOME

Disclaimer: I’m totally biased about this book and have been ever since I read the first draft, which was before I knew that it was dedicated to me. Also, I’m biased because I loved GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS – a strong young woman, a powerful voice, unexpected surprises, great adventure: what’s not to love?! – and this book is the sequel.

But CROWN OF EMBERS takes all those things and makes them better. I love the way Elisa goes from discovering herself and her own power to deciding how to use it to accomplish bigger goals. I love the mixture of political intrigue and religion and hard moral choices. I love the way her relationship grows and develops with [SPOILER]. I love the fact that even though Elisa’s not perfect, she acts like an adult and has real adult relationships built on communication and mutual respect. I love the gritty, vivid descriptions that make you feel like you’re right in the action. I love the ACTION. Have I used the word “love” enough times yet, so that you understand that I LOVE this book?

This is a great fantasy novel. I cannot recommend the series enthusiastically enough.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 21, 2012

Love, love, LOVE!

This book has to be one of my favorites. Heck it's probably ranks first. This had me screaming "NOOOOOOO!" at the end because I didn't want it to end. Rae Carson has done an amazing job again. Fall of 2013 can't come fast enough. Highly HIGHLY recommended!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 8, 2013

Sader girl

She cryed with joy her saders roared and palyed with jappiness

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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BookaholicTracy

Posted September 28, 2012

I Also Recommend:

great book

Great book.Its been a long time since i gave a 5star to a book but this deserves it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted January 17, 2015

Very bad

I am astonished by all the praise for this book. It is MUCH worse written than the previous and Elise is even less likeable than before, which had to be hard to achieve. In this book she is plainly a stupid little girl playing dress up, way out of her league, but so stupid and prideful about "her" people and how they love her, when all she is is a foreign placeholder.

The first person pov gets really tedious here also, as it always does with silky little girls with no great intelligence or understanding. The dialogue is weak and clunky and the writing in general is quite poor. I was struck by the fall off in fluency from the first book. Perhaps she was too rushed getting this out.

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Anonymous

Posted January 11, 2015

Great read

Amazing book. Highly recommended!

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Addicted_Readers

Posted January 5, 2015

4.5 WONDERFUL STARS
THE CROWN OF EMBERS was an EXPLOSIVE READ

4.5 WONDERFUL STARS

THE CROWN OF EMBERS was an EXPLOSIVE READ that I absolutely LOVED!! It took me on the ride of my life, and filled me with such awesomeness that kept me up reading late into night, craving just one-more-chapter I couldn't get enough of!!! I loved the world building, the characters, the villains, the magical aspects, frankly, I loved just about every single thing in this novel, no, in this series!!

THE CROWN OF EMBERS was a gem waiting to be explored for me. It had layers upon layers of depth and character development, and more plot then I could grasp! Rae Carson is truly a book-god in my world! She has the gift of enchantment, for she surly put a hex on me with this magical story, because I absolutely, positively, undoubtedly, LOVE THE CROWN OF EMBERS SERIES so freaking much!!!

THE PLOT:

Elisa is the hero of her country.

She saved her people from the Invierne and brought her country back from the brink of war. She defeated the Animagi that brought fire and death upon her kingdom. She channeled the Godstone's power and learned to wield it against her foes. She was Joya d'Arena's last hope, and she didn't fail them, and for that, she is their queen...

Seventeen-year-old queen Elisa is anything but political familiar. She never wanted to be queen, let alone rule a whole country twice the size of her hometown county all by herself. But she is, and she must rise up from the ashes to piece her country back together bit by bit. But the enemy has sworn vengeance's, sworn that they will come like ghost in a dream. And they will get their revenge, one way or another, they're coming, the clock is ticking...

With a newly inexperienced queen, a country trying to piece it's self back together, an enemy still striking from the shadows, a rebellion brewing, and civil war threatening to tear their country apart, theirs more then enough chaos and insanity to distract the country from it's enemies and traders threatening to rise up and seek it's vengeance's.

But then the queen starts to fear her enemies are closer then she once thought, and plotting to destroy her and the country she's been fighting for. Her allies are in short supply, and the power she wields is no where near enough to defeat the Animagi that are hell bent on conquering her power and defeating their county. And Elisa is no closer in figuring out her next move. But time is running out, and her enemies are lying in wake, waiting for the perfect time to strike...

But their is someone who also seems to spark hope within, and keeps her sanity from turning no matter the situation. It's the Commander of her royal guard, and keeper of her heart, Hector. He unknowingly sparks something deep within, that thrives anytime he's near. She has loved and lost once, but their is something about the Commander of her guard that makes her feel she can love again, only if he loved her too, something she's not sure she wants to find out, yet....

So Elisa and a few of her most trusted allies cook up a ruse and travel to an ancient island that's suppose to be the heart of the Godstone's power. But she can't have her enemies on all sides knowing where she's going and why. So they must travel through harsh lands and waters to evade her enemies, locate the mythological island, learn how to absorb and harness it's power, get back to her castle and uncover the trader in they're political circle, defeat the Animagi threatening to wreck havoc, and some how keep the man she's falling in love with from leaving her, all while staying alive long enough to achieve it all. Yup, piece a cake, right? I think not!!!

Overall, if your looking for a fast-paced read, with secrets and betrayals, war and death, friendship and love, and a queen destined to overcome all, and set her country free of it's foes, built around a magical background that pulses the story to it's fullest, then THE CROWN OF EMBERS is exactly the book you've been looking for!! I HIGHLY recommend it, and am eagerly anticipating the third and final book in this epically wonderful trilogy, that has sent chills down my spine time and time again!! And will forever go down as one of my favorite series of all time!!! THE CROWN OF EMBERS is a must read for any fantasy/adventure fan out there, it will not disappoint!!!!

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Anonymous

Posted September 21, 2014

Love this book

This book was amazing. I read it in one day, and couldn't put it down. To anyone who hasn't read this book, I pity you. Even if you don't love high fantasy, you should read this.

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Anonymous

Posted July 21, 2014

Love it

I love thus series. I had a hard time putting it down. I wish there were four books instead of three.

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Anonymous

Posted June 27, 2014

amazing

amazing

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Anonymous

Posted March 8, 2014

Great sequel

the start of the series was a little slow but in this book the author of the series and the heroine definitely come into their own thoroughly enjoyed

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Anonymous

Posted February 9, 2014

PRESENTING THE CORONATION OF PRINCESA MARIA

Maria walks down the stairs and stands in feont of the throne. The chaplain walks up to her and gives her a kiss in bith of her cheeks. "Princesa Maria de Malcedonia. Do you swear to rule Malcedonia with no selfishness?" "I swear." "Do you swear to let each citizen have a choice, no matter what their rank of poverty is?" "I swear." "Do you swear to make the decision that you feel is best for the wellbeing of your kingdom?" "I swear." "Do you swear to be loyal and have a kind and merciful heart." "I swear." "Then by the power vested in me," he takes the tiara if my head," I hereby pronounce you," he takes the golden crown with rubies and pearls imbedded into it,"Queen Maria of Malcedonia." He places the crown on he head and she sits on the royal throne. She smiles and raises a staff. "I solemny swear all those that I am sworn to do and uphold. I promise to be the rightful queen you all so deserve." She says. Her royal subjects bow and the royal band plays "My wonderful Malcedonia"

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted October 17, 2013

Good bridge

The first book of this series focused on Elisa kind of finding her place in the world and developing some confidence in herself....and second book expounded even more on this journey. Elisa is now on her own in a new country and in a position of power and she has to put to test her new found confidence in herself. The entire book is about her coming into her own and realizing that she is enough. That she did not have to cling to anyone or rely on anyone to be great and could be great on her own. Yes, she can have magic and power beyond anyone else ...but it is nothing if she doubts herself and is weak in spirit. Yes, someone can love her for who she is and good and bad....but it is not the be all and end all. And it does not have to determine her worth. Elisa removed all the things that were keeping here chained to that girl from the first book that had no self esteem and did as she was told or what was wanted of her without questions. She is starting to recognize the people in her life, that are toxic. That say they do things because they care about you....but these things always end up hurting you and only serving them. Ximena...though she thinks she is the heroine in this tale...represents all that Elisa is trying to leave behind...and I was happy to see her put her foot down there. Xemina was on my last nerve. And in the end how she just sold out Hector like that for her own selfish gain....? To keep her influence? She was too much

I like the themes of this series. That in the end, it is not about who you have and what you have...but who you are and what you choose to do that makes you successful.

And of course...I love the romance. :). Hector is lovely, and if I were in Elisa's show..I would not have wasted that much time getting on that. Seriously. I like that the romance was a slow build. That we see the characters slowly begin to become aware of each other and fall into each other. I don't like these love at first sight deep loves, where the tow meet and 2 second later they are declaring undying love and calling each other soul mates...because they are not realistic. I like to see it and believe it. This romance is realistic because we see it start and grow along with Elisa. But of course it being great means I have to suffer through the angst that is to come. really? The ending was too much. But at least in the end, we will get to see the heroine running to the rescue of here man. It's a nice twist. Hector as the damsel in distress is very amusing.

I looked forward to the next book. I have heard good things only.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted September 27, 2013

To E.P

Hi!-FR19

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Anonymous

Posted September 23, 2013

Warriors fans!!!!! Pls read!!

Seriously? Rp on ur nook? Do u have any friends?

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Anonymous

Posted September 11, 2013

Another great book

Very good sequel to Girl of fire & thorns. Good book for all ages, couldn't put down the series.

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Anonymous

Posted September 2, 2013

Lo

Wonderful series. I enjoyed it.

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Anonymous

Posted August 30, 2013

To all clans-

You cat/clan people- GO SOMEWHERE ELSE TO CHAT!!!! SOME OF US ACTUALLY WANT TO READ REVIEWS ABOUT THE BOOK!!!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Anonymous

Posted August 30, 2013

very exciting!

Carries the story on with suspense!

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